Reports Show Local Home Sales Are Up, Despite National Decline

The National Association of Realtors and the Georgia Association of Realtors report home sales in Georgia are up, despite the national trend.

"May was a super month," said Julie Bryan, Owner and Broker for RE/MAX of Thomasville. "We haven't had a month like that since 2007."

The GAR shows sales for the month of May are up 3 percent from last month. Sales year to date are up by 13.4 percent. The NAR report shows U.S. sales dropped 1.5 percent from April to May.

Realtors in Thomasville say they've seen a similar trend.

"We've seen more sales in the last six months than in the previous 2 to 3 years," said Mills Herndon, Owner and Broker for First Thomasville Realty. "It is an appreciative increase, not significant, but at least it's not going the other way."

Bryan added, "Right now, our prices are lower, our interest rates are as low as they've been in decades. There's definitely a lot of positive things going on in the housing industry."

Although the numbers look promising on paper, some residents trying to sell their homes in the area, may not share that same optimism.

"Until all foreclosures are off the market, until the economy picks up again, that's when the housing market will pick up again and there's no secret to it," said Gerhard Sommer.

Sommer is selling his house by owner. It's been on the market for several months, but has not yet sold. He says it's just a matter of time.

"Anytime you want to sell something, obviously you become anxious and times flies by fast, but patience is a virtue."

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.